False Flag: Trandosha

[Velok the Younger]

[member="Darth Abyss"] [member="Darth Vizios"] [member="Darth Lykos"]

Gentlemen:

We have a little too much Jedi and Mandalorian attention at the moment. Therefore, it's imperative that we get them more irritated with each other.

I've provided you with two sets of Jedi robes, utility belts, blue lightsabres, etc., as well as one suit of captured Mandalorian armour. Here's the scenario.

Trandosha, while not under Mandalorian control, is in the same star system as Kashyyyk, which they recently took from the Republic and the Jedi. If you're amenable, please proceed to Trandosha in a covert way, and stage the following pantomime in public.

Two of you are Silver Jedi Knights, looking to bring a Mandalorian criminal to justice. It's crucial that whichever of you plays the tin can should avoid use of the Force: Mandalorian Force-users tend to know each other. It's also crucial that, however your friendly costumed spar goes, the Mandalorian one of you should be defeated and 'killed' by the end. And of course, please make sure that the two of you who play Jedi avoid endangering or harming locals in any way. The three of you are known as some of our subtlest operators: I have total faith in your ability to be convincing. Feel free to rant about justice and so forth.

Thank you for your assistance to the Order. It will not be forgotten.

Best wishes,

Velok

 

[Judah Lesan]

"These itch," Xander said as he tossed the data pad onto the glass coffee table in the sitting room of his luxury yacht. Seated with him were the other two men selected for this little charade. One of them was known to him well. [member="Darth Lykos"] was one Xander had kept his eye on for some time, and was proud to see his ascension through the ranks of whatever order of Sith he walked with. The assassin would serve well. [member="Darth Abyss"] was completely unknown to Xander, and he did not know what to expect. That meant he did not trust the man to be swinging a lightsaber at him. For this reason he was the first to grab a set of the Jedi robes. "White, how fitting," Xander smirked knowing that Xavka would see the irony of the white assassin wearing white robes. Perhaps he should keep them.

This mission should be simple, and anything to get their enemies fighting each other was something that was a boon. The Sith Order was small for now. They could ill afford unwanted attention from the Mandalorians or the Silver Jedi. Yes they had completed a successful rebellion, but Xander did not estimate they were ready for a full out war against either group, let alone a two front invasion. Xander would gladly do what he could to stall what some seemed to think was the inevitable.

"One of you gets to be the tin can. I also have an idea on how we can make the tin can pass as dead. Though I will share once you've worked out he gets the bucket on their head."

 

[Darth Abyss]

Darth Abyss moved towards the mandalorian armor, his hand slowly descending on the helmet with the notorious t-visor. He figured that after what he heard, he was the one of the group least gifted with the force. On the other hand he had spend some time training his marksmanship, military protocol and many more things that would help him pose as a mandalorian mercenary or soldier. Also he had spend quite some time with one or two mandos in his live, and he was sure that he could play the role of the family and clan loving space warmonger very convincing. He was a actor at heart after all.

"I will do it. Always wanted to wear one of these."

In one fluid move he lifted the helmet on his head. The metal felt strange, as he normally never wore a helmet or any other headwearelse besides his mask. He turned the visor to the two other sith.

"Oya. Lets show these aruetiis what we can do .... Convincing enough?"

Unseen by the two others, a smirk formed after he spoke.

[member="Darth Vizios"] [member="Darth Lykos"]

 

[Xevek Nekonis]

As Xavka pulled the brown cloth robes, so similar to his normal pitch black, into place over the top of the leather-crafted armour that offered some amount of protection for his torso, Xavka permitted himself to experience a brief moment of uncharacteristic gratitude; before squashing it and leaving behind the usual emotionless and calm facade of Darth Lykos. The reason for Xavka's brief unusual emotional response to Darth Abyss' actions was rather simple reason, one that he was sure would be considered idiotic if he should voice it. He, like the majority of his now deceased former Clan, Uiging, had long since renounced metallic armour, decrying amongst themselves that should they wear armour that it would be of leather and cloth and that metal was to be used for the sole purpose of weaponry when, or if, the material was to be utilised for combat. Honour was a strong, defining trait for the young Zabrak, as was the bond between kin and blood (even if he did admit that such a facet of his personality was a weakness that someone could exploit and, as such, he was careful in hiding its existence as he was loath to sacrifice said weakness for the meaning it held) and, as such, he knew himself well enough to acknowledge that should he don the "tin can", as his fellows had put it, then he would feel as if he was calling dishonour upon himself from his Ancestors.

Turning his head toward Darth Abyss, a fellow student under the tutelage of Darth Ophidia, Lykos simply cocked his head into a small bow, strands of his shortly cut and darkly died hair, no longer the ashen grey long dreadlocks it was meant to be, fell in front of his face, some falling in front of the sunken socket that was in place of his right eye. "My thanks, Abyss." At the final word he cocked his head towards the suit of armour designed in imitation of the Mandalorian armours, attempting to explain his meaning but being loath to reveal so much of his true self.

Settling back into his seat, crossing one leg over the other and resting his two hands, one cybernetic the other flesh, on top of his topmost knee, Lykos took a brief, extremely brief at that, moment to luxuriate in the feeling of luxury that filled the sitting room of the yacht, never having ever allowed himself to be surrounded by such easy livings, refusing to abandon the feeling of strife and hard work that had carried him and helped him survive throughout his younger, formative years on Iridonia. However, his focus almost immediately returned as he directed his attention at the man that sat opposite him, Darth Visios, the White Assassin, a fellow leader of the Sith Assassins; even if the group that permitted them to know of the other had fallen onto hard times as of late.

"Yes. Yes, I suppose you are correct - fitting. Irregardless, the amusing scent of irony present ignored, and entertainment put to one side," Lykos through a quick look towards Abyss to, once more, clarify his words, "what is this idea of yours, Visios?"


[member="Darth Vizios"] | [member="Darth Abyss"]

OOC Note: By the way, just to let the two if you know, I'm toying with the idea that Xavka has a slightly odd speaking pattern due to Iridonians (or, maybe, those of his Clan) choosing specific words to use instead of others that people would normally use. (I.E His use of scent instead of feeling as seen above.)

 

[Judah Lesan]

"Just be sure the heads up display doesn't throw you off. I would hate to see one fmis actually kill you because you go left when you should have gone right," Xander said with a smirk to the eager bucket head.

Darth Lykos seemed to pull the fun out of the atmosphere, yet he was right about their need to be about the business. If any other was out of place on the yacht it was Lykos, but Xander knew Xavka was well aware of the toil Xander went through to regain his throne and status. The Zabrak may not be fully aware of everything, but Xander had taken everything he had. His own effort had led to what was his, even if he had been born in a position to seize it. The force stasis had taken it all from him, and the Sith Lord had to fight to regain it all.

Upon the prodding to be about business Xander stood from the plush sofa of his yacht. His steps carried him to a mahogany hued cabinet which was clearly an antique from another time entirely. The doors opened to reveal a plethora of potions, poltices, and other articles Xander used for his divinations. One thing both men would learn of Xander today was that royal had a touch of Dathomir in him. This was the influence of a master of an age long gone, a witch long dead. No one of this era knew the exact influences the matriarchal world had on the Sith King. His hand reached inside and retrieved a small vial.

"Spider venom from the great goddess of Dathomir herself. One drop can kill a man, but when mixed with other herbs the concoction will slow a man's heartbeat to the point that he appears to be dead. Of course I have the antidote which will start the heart back up again, but for any bystander who wants to check this will be rather convincing. There are several ways to administer it without anyone being any the wiser."

[member="Darth Lykos"] | [member="Darth Abyss"]

 

[Darth Abyss]

Under the helmet his smile faded as the sith lord began to talk about the method he had in mind. Abyss knowledge about poisons was average at best, and while he used one or two fairly often, he couldn't tell if what the man said was true. He wasn't a regular of the newly formed sith order, only helping them out when he felt that it would help him reach his goal, and therefore wasn't one to trust the other sith lightly. [member="Darth Lykos"] was an exception to some degree, mainly because both shared the same master, Darth Ophidia. He seemed to trust [member="Darth Vizios"] but that didn't meant that Abyss would to.

"I am not convinced, but sadly I do not have a better idea."

He turned the visor to his acolytebrother, a sigh audible from within the metal headgear. Both man probably knew what Ophidia would have said if it had been her plan.

"Success or death."

Slowly he began to strap on the other pieces of the armor, feeling the unfamiliar heavy weight on his body. He had seen the mandos run, jump and fight in these things, but right now he wondered how they had been able to. He wasn't physical weak, but also not exceptional strong, and the armor would most certainly slow him down and hinder his skills. It was good that he was the one that had to play the dead man.

 

[Xevek Nekonis]

Slowly, the Zabrak's eye would drift to a close as thoughts and plans were conceived, considered and then discarded as Xavka, who often sought to obscure his true level of intelligence through overplaying the feral nature of his being, sought to also come to a conclusion as to how the three of them could pass of the illusion of death. While there was the option of poison as Vizios had said, something that Xavka - who often utilised self-crafted concoctions from some of the more dangerous and rarer plants within the Iridonian Deserts - could easily see and, yet, their successful usage would depend on finding a reliable way to ensure that the toxin would be administered to Abyss at a specific point in time, meaning the elimination of any possible chance of early and accidental use. Still, even as he considered this, he was struggling to find another path that they could pursue. Unless... The lone amber eye would snap open, Xavka's head titling to the side slightly as he considered the new idea, twisting and turning it metaphorical appearance in search of flaws so that they could be eradicated.

"If I may inquire, Vizios? How do you foresee the administration of the toxin? In what manner, and with what safeguards, could this false reality be put into action with so that it does not trigger early? If no answer comes to mind, I may have a suggestion, if my voice will be heard by you."

Pushing himself to his feat, Xavka would stride over to the windows of the sitting room, his hands clasped behind his back as he would lose himself in his thoughts for but a few moments. "The skill acknowledged as Force Slow? I have knowledge of it, how to use it to interfere with the passage of chemicals, of neurotransmitter molecules, between synapses through infection of the Dark within bodies. How to slow the mind and body to a crawl. Yet, the infection is slow to set and long to grow to strength. I have.." He, he would pause, licking his lips, considering if he should reveal one of his most prized skills before continuing with a slight sigh, acknowledging that it may, at this time, be necessary to do so. Turning around sharply, brown Jedi Robes swirling around his ankles, Xavka locked eyes with Vizios. "You recall Sins? Within the Assassins? I was Sloth for a reason and have grown in time since. The speed is hastened and time lessened, effect worsened. I have utilised this in the pass to lock a being's mind, freeze their perception of time as a single second drew into a millennia for them when caught unawares with no chance fight back." Now, Xavka turned his attention to Abyss himself. "Your heart would slow to near nothing, long enough for inspections to declare you dead. Further, with me not fighting to maintain, you would be capable of shrugging the effect off through the Force; so long as you prepare before the effects occur."

Sighing again, Xavka would lean back against the window slightly, supporting the majority of his weight with his own feet though and not resting against the surface behind him. "This, I see, as an alternative to poison. Yet shall leave the choice of which path we walk to you pair."


[member="Darth Abyss"] | [member="Darth Abyss"]

Sorry for having Xavka argue against Vizios, it's just that I can see him offering this suggestion when he would consider how intricate applying the poison would end up being.

 

[Darth Abyss]

Abyss looked at the two other sith, comparing the options presented to him in his mind. Both had their obviously advantages and drawbacks but both would do the job in the end. The key part of the poison would be the way it would be introduced into his bloodstream so it would not start to drain his body before they were ready or to late after the fight had already begun. Another problem he saw in both ways was his own survival instinct, buried deep in his psyche. He had to guarantee that it wouldn't snap in the second either the poison or the force slowing would reach his body. In his head a plan formed, piecing together small idea fragments based on what they had proposed and added some of his into it. Poison was the way to go, but he had some slight adjustments that had to be made. Hopefully the knowledge of [member="Darth Vizios"] didn't started and ended with that one poison.

"I have an idea. To stop the myself from fighting of the poison I need to things: The poison mixed with a substance that will speed my heart so there will be no delay, in a pill or something similar so I can decided the moment it will enter my bloodstream. Also a bottle of strong alcohol, simply to dampen my ability to draw from the force."

It was by no means the best plan he ever had, but in a situation like this any plan was better than none. Some things were important enough to take a risk once in a while, and this was such a situation. Now it was up to the other two to make it happen, as wasn't well served in toxicology or medicine.

 

[Judah Lesan]

"Your suggestion has merit, Lykos, and more control than mine. I am not the toxins expert anyway, and this venom may in fact kill Abyss." That was the risk, the fact Abyss actually died. Did Xander care, no. The monarch was not concerned with the lives of others as long as it was not his own to be sacrificed. This was one reason he took to the Jedi robes first. The man was not about to give the force another opportunity to surprise him. The stasis had been a fate worse than death as it robbed him of the people he had cared for. Xander would not make this mistake again... caring, feelings. He had of course allowed himself to be attached since, but even that ended poorly. None were his red huntress and none ever would be. It was a pity the force had stolen her away from him.

"Darth Abyss, if you are not opposed to it, I would suggest you allow Lykos to do as he suggests. His skill is trustworthy even if he is not."

Naturally Sith did not trust each other, and Xander did not trust anyway save a few. Lykos was one that Xander trusted to do as he was told, beyond that Xander was unsure. Abyss he did not know at all so the Sith King did not trust him. In the end the only one on the ship Xander trusted fully was himself, and that was as it should be. It was not long before the proximity alarm was sounding. Xander's blue eyes looked to Abyss.

"Your choice. My poison or his skill?"

[member="Darth Abyss"] [member="Darth Lykos"]

 

[Darth Abyss]

"Give me the poison. If something goes wrong we can still fall back on Lykos powers."

All options were dangerous, and the plan wasn't the best. Still the way of the sith demanded sacrifices, and Abyss was willing to make them for the success of their mission. He couldn't care less about the silver jedi, a group of jedi outsiders that besides their try to control the ancient sith worlds never had done something that concerned him personally. For the mandos on the other hand he had hate, cold and controlled, but still hate. They had been responsible for his defeat for the first battle he ever lead while still with the one sith, and they gave him and his men a crippling blow. The chance to force them to fight the jedi and die a gruesome death simply was to seductive to resist, even if he had to risk his live.

"I guess its not long now. We should get everything ready. Failure is not an option."

[member="Darth Vizios"] [member="Darth Lykos"]

ooc not much to write here tbh.